STARK REALITY with Jim Dier aka $mall ¢hange

For Episode 74 of Stark Reality, Host James Dier aka DJ $mall ¢hange rolls the tattered red carpet out to the Bay Area and welcomes visual artist/DJ/producer EZRA LI EISMONT. Ezra is a multi-disciplinary artist living and working on the Mendocino coast in Northern California, with primary emphasis on painting and sound. Born in North Carolina 1974, he moved with his family to NYC 1977 and was raised there through the 1980s until moving to Oakland, California in 1990. A graduate of the California College of Arts and Crafts (BFA 1997), he has been an active member of the Bay area art and music communities since the mid Nineties, lending his artistic flavor to many Bay Area music albums and flyer art over the past decades. Ezra is a founding member of the electronic music group Cat Five (1999-2005) and music producer under the name Dj Darkat. He was an active attendee of the Burning Man festival between 1999-2016, including working for the Burning Man Department of Public Works between 2007-2015. From 2009-2022 he broadcast a weekly online radio show called Sound Dimensions broadcast on Spaz.org In this episode we get into Ezra's history in both painting and sound, talk about different projects he's worked on, his 'Zombie' series of paintings, weird records like industrial musicals, collecting and selling records, doing cut up / sample type tracks (and literally cutting up flexidiscs to make collage records), Burning Man, working for them, our issues with the event and its politics, the Ghost Ship fire from some years back, fighting landlords trying to kick you out of your space (which Ezra was involved with for a number of years in Oakland), throwing raves (happenings) back in the day, and what inspires his art. Jim met Ezra way back in 2000 on the playa, he is top ppls and a very talented artist. He was one of the ppl $mall ¢hange was thinking of when he started this podcast a few years back so glad to finally interview him for Stark Reality. Recorded Feb 17th 2025. For more information and links go to www.Ezrali.wordpress.com To hear Ezra’s exclusive STARK REALITY Playlist, the “DJ Darkat Freedom of Speech Mix,” a funky and eclectic set of hip hop, punk, random soundscapes and samples to go along with the interview, go to Episode 74 of STARK REALITY PLAYLISTS on Apple or wherever you get your music podcasts, or live & direct on the uptownradio.net Music Channel STARK REALITY series page. don’t forget to subscribe to both STARK REALITY and STARK REALITY PLAYLISTS on Apple Podcasts.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

STARK REALITY Host JAMES DIER aka DJ $mall ¢hange is back for Episode 71/72!Aight party ppl another Stark Reality coming your way. This time we don't have to roll the red carpet too far aka downstairs to Jim's neighbor and noted record digger CHRIS BISHOP. He started the 60s music research site GarageHangover.com in 2004, which is a crazy resource on obscure garage rock records and more. In that same year Chris also began deejaying at the Local Project in LIC, followed by regular gigs at Rififi, the Tainted Lady, Magnetic Field, & Patio Bar and other various spots in NYC. He moved upstate to Hudson in 2011 and had a late night weekly on WGXC and occasional nights at the Half Moon. And is currently trying to hold this criminal administration accountable with actions to support a free Palestine. Recorded just before the election on Oct 28th, 2024. Chris and Jim align a lot on politics and records, they talk about the protests he has been a part of in Hudson and Columbia County. And they get into obscure and sought after records that have been cut and made in the Hudson Valley. The mix he provided as the accompanying set 'Kennett Sound Studio & Hudson Valley mini-mix' showcases some of those records. To hear this exclusive Stark Reality playlist, go to Episode 72 of Stark Reality. For all of Host James Dier aka DJ $mall ¢hange's in-depth interviews and exclusive guest playlists, Subscribe to both STARK REALITY and STARK REALITY PLAYLISTS on Apple Podcasts, Mixcloud or live & direct on jasoncharles.net Podcast Network Music Channel's STARK REALITY Series PageSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Host Jim Dier aka DJ $mall ¢hange is back! "Hi party ppl, been a minute but managed to record another podcast, this time rolling the tattered red carpet out to LaLa Land to interview Shirley Braha, an ex New Yorker now living in LA. She is a Syrian-American Anti-Zionist Jewish Lesbian (say that 5x fast!). She is also the human behind Marnie the Dog (@marniethedog RIP), the iconic senior rescue shih-tzu who became a star with millions of followers and her own book. Prior to Marnie, Shirley was a music television producer who created, produced, and edited the influential indie music video show “New York Noise” on NYC TV from 2003-2009 and “Weird Vibes” for MTV digital from 2011-2013. Shirley has used her platforms to advocate for independent artists, overlooked shelter pets, and social equality, recently speaking up for Palestinian liberation despite her upbringing in a Zionist context. At this point with the genocide in Gaza now in its 10th month, I can't really see having a conversation with someone where this doesn't get touched on. Shirley and I have had many discussions prior to recording this and I think her growing up with a very Zionist background gives some insight to the bubble these people still continue to live in. We also talk about the apathy with mutual music/artists friends during this Holocaust and the general vapidness of Western culture. Recorded in two segments, on June 14th and June 29th 2024. Shirley loves to dance and is a proper music head, and she gives us an excellent playlist to listen to as the world burns." To hear Shirley's exclusive Stark Reality Playlist of new wave, post and punk-funk and other favorites, go to Episode 70 of Stark Reality here or on Apple Podcasts STARK REALITY PLAYLISTS.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

For Episode 67 of STARK REALITY, Host James Dier aka DJ $mall ¢hange rolls out the tattered red carpet to the East Village to talk to DANIEL EFRAM, a multifaceted NYC-based photographer, journalist, producer, curator, and art publisher focusing on culture and social justice. With a robust background in music, film and TV production, Efram has recently produced projects as "The Elephant 6 Recording Co." doc film (Greenwich Entertainment; 2023) and "The Steve Keene Art Book” (Tractor Beam / Hat & Beard Press; 2023).  Jim and Daniel talk about both those projects quite a bit, getting into some history of Steve Keene's work and his creative process, and how the book came together. Also the doc, with some of the bands associated with the Elephant 6 label, The Apples In Stereo, Olivia Tremor Control etc. And Daniel's own photography, how after managing and working with artists for many years to how he started putting together his own work and photography book. And his recent shots of various protests going around NYC, around migrants and Palestine and the ongoing genocide happening. Daniel gives us some good insights, and also an excellent playlist of psyche, rock, dub, groove and experimental sounds, featuring tracks from Can, Tinariwen, Butch Cassidy Sound System, Stereolab, Gary Numan and more, available on Episode 68 of STARK REALITY PLAYLISTS. For more information about Daniel Efram, go to www.danielefram.com and follow him @danielefram on Instagram Subscribe to STARK REALITY and STARK REALITY PLAYLISTS on Apple Podcasts, Mixcloud or live & direct on jasoncharles.net Podcast Network Music Chanel's STARK REALITY Series PageSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

On Episode 65 of Stark Reality, Host James Dier aka DJ $mall ¢hange rolls the red carpet out to middle Jersey and talks to DJ COMRADE, an excellent DJ and producer and a great dude who shares a lot of his politics, especially on apartheid Israel. While Jim looks at this podcast as a collection of interviews with like minded friends and artists, and not necessarily a time sensitive/breaking news sort of thing, the ongoing genocide in Gaza now in its 3rd month has been horrific, and Comrade was the perfect person to talk to about this. His roots go back spinning 45s and dubplates in reggae soundsystems, playing alongside legends like Stone Love, doing stuff in NYC and Boulder CO, and then later getting into tropical bass sounds and Baile Funk and working alongside many Brazilian heavyweights in that scene. Jim first met Comrade virtually because 10-15 years ago he was one of the very few ppl online that was speaking out against Israeli apartheid and oppression. The bulk of the talk is about Gaza and he will be back to have a more proper music discussion. Comrade has been fighting this fight for a long time, he is the man. This is not a 'professional' news podcast but we hope you enjoy two friends talking proper shit on the racist genocidal shit that is Zionism. Some side notes, Dr. CBS is Dr. Charisse Burden-Stelly and her recent book is called Black Scare, Red Scare. and the Sluggy Ranks record that Jim couldn't remember the title is called Ghetto Youth Bust. The background intro music is the Far East riddim just fyi. We'll get a music mix or playlist from Comrade down the road but wanted to get this interview out asap since we are talking about events going on right now. Recorded 12/30/23. Happy new yawn everyone! DJ COMRADE's exclusive Stark Reality Playlist will be coming soon on Episode 66 of STARK REALITY PLAYLISTS. Subscribe to STARK REALITY and STARK REALITY PLAYLISTS on Apple Podcasts, Mixcloud or live & direct on jasoncharles.net Podcast Network Music Chanel's STARK REALITY Series PageSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

For this episode of STARK REALITY, Host James Dier aka DJ $mall ¢hange rolls the red carpet out to Berlin and talk to CANDICE HOLMES. She is a native New Yorker in exile, living in Germany since 2015 and based in the Peter Pan capital of Europe for the past 6.5 years. She spends her days working in Marketing and nights out and about in the Berlin club and bar scene. She has plenty of opinions about German life and culture and is looking forward to the day she can be a German-American, if the Berlin citizenship backlog and German language test results permit.We get into a number of topics related to Germany, racism, their issues with Palestine and BDS, club culture, how Berlin is changing, culture shock when renting apartments there, etc etc. Also this was recorded Sept 20th 2023, well before the horrific genocide going on in Gaza, in terms of us talking about issues with Germany and Palestine. Candice is top ppls and after talking about this for a min (several years) it was nice to finally talk to her for Stark Reality. To hear Candice's exclusive Stark Reality Playlist, featuring soul, new wave, world and German Electronic sounds from The Isley Brothers, Fatima Al Qadiri, Whirlpool Productions, Talking Heads, Scooter and more, go to Episode 64 of Stark Reality Subscribe to STARK REALITY and STARK REALITY PLAYLISTS on Apple Podcasts, Mixcloud or live & direct on jasoncharles.net Podcast Network Music Chanel's STARK REALITY Series PageSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

For Episode 61 of STARK REALITY, we roll the red carpet out to Harlem and chat with Logan Grendel. A dog guru, photographer, activist, urban gardener, magick practitioner, artist, musician, and Nonbinary Black leftist rabblerouser, Logan Grendel describes himself accurately as seven people all at once. His podcast Focused on Infinity covers 'everything from politics to sex and religion, always with an eye on honesty and authenticity.' We get into a number of topics in this extended conversation, from dog walking and gardening, fire spinning, his music background, and a lot of politics ofc, within the party community, trans rights, how Zionism weaponizes anti-semitism, prison conditions and modern day slavery, the Montgomery mollywop, individualism vs community, debating online, trolls and boundaries, basic empathy, both side-ism, and video games. Check his podcast and TikTok vids - he's on point. To hear Logan's very eclectic exclusive Stark Reality playlist of rock, hip hop, soul, electronic, metal and more - to reflect his diverse tastes - featuring tracks by Paramore, Run The Jewels, Marvin Gaye, Tuxedo, God Lives Underwater, Basement Jaxx and much more, go to Episode 62 of STARK REALITY. Subscribe to STARK REALITY and STARK REALITY PLAYLISTS on Apple Podcasts, Mixcloud or live & direct on jasoncharles.net Podcast Network Music Chanel's STARK REALITY Series PageSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

For Episode 59 of STARK REALITY, Host James Dier aka $mall ¢hange welcomes veteran New York City DJ, radio producer and party promoter REGGIE JOHNSON. Reggie Johnson is an audio engineer, radio show host, party promoter and all around good ppls. He's been working as an engineer behind the boards at WBAI Pacifica for a few decades, and co-hosting Jeanie Hopper's Liquid Sound Lounge since '98. His own radio show From the Soundboard has been running since 2007, a 'program that usually focuses on concerts regardless of genre. This is where the artist and (or) group perfects the art of the "call and response" with its audience.' He does great deep dives on all kinds of artists and groups like Gal Costa, Link Wray, Yusef Lateef, Paul Robeson, Ramsey Lewis and many others. He's also helped promote parties since 1998 and has a longtime summer thing called Beats & BBQ. In his own words, he's 'just an average individual who believes in Socialist principles through music, arts and action. Everything is connected to everything.' Reggie is a humble and real dude which isn't always the case in these music and party scenes haha. We start out talking about classic parties and DJs like the Loft, David Mancuso, Paradise Garage, Nicky Siano, Turntables on the Hudson, and Liquid Sound Lounge, where Reggie got his start promoting and getting involved with WBAI and doing his own show. We also get into a lot about politics, Palestine, Ukraine, our disappointment with Bernie, critical thinking, and his own journey coming out of his shell as an introvert into promoting and throwing parties. We ended up rapping for over two hours so a longer convo. Enjoy! Reggie also gives us a tasty mix of vintage African funk to accompany. To hear this exclusive 90-plus minute Stark Reality Playlist, go to Episode 60 of STARK REALITY PLAYLISTS. For the latest news and updates on Reggie's radio show and events, follow him @deepdancenyc on Instagram. Subscribe to STARK REALITY and STARK REALITY PLAYLISTS on Apple Podcasts, Mixcloud or live & direct on jasoncharles.net Podcast Network Music Chanel's STARK REALITY Series PageSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

For Episode 57 of STARK REALITY, Host James Dier aka DJ $mall ¢hange rolls the red carpet out to Queens and rapps with Stephen Barr aka DJ HUGGY BEAR. Stephen is a native NYer who grew up in South Ozone Park, when NYC was a slightly different place then it is today. Besides music of course we talk about his collection of vintage toys from cartoons he grew up on in the '80s, working as a bouncer for a decade before DJing at hot spots like Marquee, the organization aspect of being a DJ, handling requests, playing to your audience in pro gigs, dealing with very fickle / short attention span crowds, going to see other DJs, clubs and parties like APT and Mobile Mondaze, how the current rents in NYC are changing the crowds and the vibe, throwing your own parties, and how to keep from getting burnt out on DJing. Stephen is top ppls, one of the nicest dudes in the biz. To hear DJ Huggy Bear's exclusive Stark Reality masterfully mixed playlist of disco, edits and classics to accompany the interview, go to Episode 58 of Stark Reality. To check out more of Huggy Bear's dynamite mixes, check out his Soundcloud page and follow him @djhuggybear on Instagram Subscribe to STARK REALITY and STARK REALITY PLAYLISTS on Apple Podcasts, Mixcloud or live & direct on jasoncharles.net Podcast Network Music Chanel's STARK REALITY Series PageSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

For Episode 55 of STARK REALITY Host James Dier rolls out the red carpet out to Brooklyn (via the Bay Area) for reporter, editor and author JESSICA LIPSKY.  She covers culture, politics and music, and her work has appeared in the New York Times, the Washington Post, Newsweek, Salon, Billboard, Wax Poetics, LA Weekly, SF Weekly, and the San Francisco Chronicle etc etc etc. Currently she is the senior editor of the Recording Academy's GRAMMY.com. Jessica is the author of the award-winning book It Ain't Retro: Daptone Records & The 21st-Century Soul Revolution, which is mostly the focus of this in-depth interview. Talking about badass folks like Sharon Jones, Charles Bradley, The Frightnrs, the Daptones, Anti-balas, Gabe Roth, Neal Sugarman, and the general evolution of 90s/00s revival funk and soul music, and slowdies (ballads). Reading her book was a real pleasure, she captured a lot of that scene and the personalities involved. She has a Harvey Averne interview/overview coming out in the NY Times soon. Jessica also DJs under the name Terry Dactyl and has done radio at KUSF, KPOO, and a number of seedy establishments on both coasts. To hear Jessica's exclusive Stark Reality playlist, go to EPISODE 56 of STARK REALITY PLAYLISTS for her very funky and soulful All 45's mix of current faves, featuring tracks by Prince Buster, Alton Ellis, Harold Melvin & The Bluenotes, Eddie Floyd, Yvonne Fair, Willie Hutch, Ramones, and much more. Enjoy! For more information about Jessica go to www.jlipsky.com and follow her @interview_boogaloo on Instagram Subscribe to STARK REALITY and STARK REALITY PLAYLISTS on Apple Podcasts, Mixcloud or live & direct on jasoncharles.net Podcast Network Music Chanel's STARK REALITY Series Page  See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

For Episode 53 of STARK REALITY Host James Dier aka $mall ¢hange rolls out the tattered red carpet to Hells Kitchen / Dublin and catches up with his old friend Desmond O'Byrne aka Des aka DJ Repoman. Jim met Des in the mid 90s running around underground parties in NYC, both resident DJs at the afterhours spot Rubulad. Throughout this in-depth conversation, they talk digging in various flea markets in the area, Des's background as guitarist in the Irish garage rock band The Golden Horde, opening up for the Cramps and playing with bands like The Prisoners and Billy Childish, growing up in Dublin in the 70s, seeing the Clash and Ramones and Specials in '78, making posters for DIY shows he put on, moving to NYC, getting sober, adjusting to playing music sober, becoming a dad, getting into carpentry, cleaning records with wood glue, and why he gravitated towards instrumentals when he first started DJing. and their night in the early 2000s they did together at Plant Bar in the East Village. Des is top ppls can't say that enough. great dude with excellent taste in music. Recorded Nov 2022. For more info about Desmond O'Byrne aka DJ Repoman, check out his Discogs page For Des's exclusive playlist of sounds from around the world, cumbia, kompa, brazilian, rocksteady, and a few guitar licks, go to Episode 54 of Stark Reality Playlists on Apple Podcasts or on Mixcloud or live & direct on jasoncharles.net Podcast Network Music Chanel's STARK REALITY Series PageSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

For Episode 51 of STARK REALITY Host James Dier aka $mall ¢hange welcomes special guest KATHLEEN SCHAAF, owner of Meow Vintage in Long Beach California since 1986.  Kathleen has been hunting deadstock vintage since the late 70s. She's known as the 'Queen of Vintage', and her store on 4th Street was the first vintage shop on a street that is now known as 'Retro Row'.   Jim and Kathleen talk about digging for clothes in the 70s/80s, going on roadtrips to find deadstock, 'denim dogs' aka jeans vendors, t-shirts, west coast classic surf wear like Hang Ten, OP, etc, fast fashion, underground music scenes and how they are related to vintage clothes, trends in vintage as times change, newer buyers and how they shop, and staying excited about digging for clothes after 4 decades plus in the game.  She is the coolest, her taste is impeccable and Meow's is a true curated vintage shop. Was great to chat with her in depth after shopping there for so many years. Recorded July 19th 2022. To hear Kathleen's exclusive Stark Reality playlist, a nice mix of underground rock/punk/etc. check out Episode 52 of STARK REALITY on jasoncharles.net MUSIC CHANNEL here or STARK REALITY PLAYLISTS Episode 52 on Apple or wherever you get your music podcasts. Don't forget to SUBSCRIBE to Both STARK REALITY and STARK REALITY PLAYLISTS to get both parts of each guest's episodes!See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

For Episode 49 of STARK REALITY Host James Dier aka $mall ¢hange welcomes Maga Bo, an internationally known DJ and producer who has released music and remixes on a number of the world's finest labels, Tru Thoughts, Ninja Tune, Cumbancha, Soot, Soundway, and his own Karfundo and Kaxambu.  Originally from Seattle, he's been based in Rio de Janeiro for over 20 years, and keeps very busy, touring and performing in over 50 countries, from Ethiopia to India to the northeastern parts of Brazil. He works with local musicians and incorporates various traditional rhythms and fuses it with modern dance production. Jim and Maga Bo talk about the problems with pressing vinyl these days, Bolsonaro and Brazilian politics, the idea of community and building relationships and collaborations, playing festivals in Rajasthan India, dealing with trolls on social media, the leftist news org Brasil Wire, Ukraine, etc. top ppls! Go get his productions he's the man. Has a new record out too... Check out Maga Bo's music on his bandcamp page and follow him @magabodj on Instagram To hear the exclusive STARK REALITY PLAYLIST from Maga Bo, check out Episode 50 of STARK REALITY PLAYLISTS on Mixcloud, Apple Podcasts or live & direct on the Stark Reality page on jasoncharles.net Podcast Network MUSIC ChannelSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

On Episode 47 of STARK REALITY with Host James Dier aka $mall ¢hange, this time around the tattered red carpet gets rolled out to Philly for special guest DIRTY SOUTH JOE.  He is 3 decades deep in the game, has thrown a number of different parties in different styles, from yacht rock to dubstep to his Drake themed night which gets thousands of heads. We talk about him starting out DJing growing up in DC and spinning at the legendary 930 Club, to NYC in the 90s/00s (where I first met him), to moving to Philly in the early Oos and becoming the buyer at Armands, the main hip hop store there. Joe ran Ol' Head Records through Diplo's Mad Decent label and put out some early Jersey Club and Baltimore Breaks. His Luvstep series with Fluffatronix was an exploration into the soulful side of Dubstep. He currently has an Anime party that mixes DJing and VJing together. Dirty South Joe is also Palestinian, something I learned years after knowing him, and we talk about changing perceptions on Palestine. He also has a podcast about DJing with fellow selectah Low Budget. To say Joe keeps busy is an extreme understatement. Just a crazy music head who is always throwing shit out there. Top ppls. Enjoy cheers. Recorded Feb 24th, 2022. For more info about Dirty South Joe follow him on Instagram @dsjoedeux To hear Joe's exclusive Stark Reality Playlist of anime score music and funky soundtrack sounds, go to Episode 48 of STARK REALITY on jasoncharles.net Podcast Network MUSIC Channel, or on Apple Podcasts' STARK REALITY PLAYLISTS Episode 48. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Episode 45 of STARK REALITY features James Dier aka $mall ¢hange's in-depth interview with Honeychild Coleman, a longtime friend in NYC we met in the mid 90s at a loft party in Williamsburg.  She is an OG afro punk, rude girl, DJ, musician, an original. One of those ppl that keeps New York still New York, despite the yuppification of this town. Forward thinking politics and dope fashion. Top top ppls. And she keeps very busy. Originally from Kentucky, Carolyn / Honeychild fronts blues-punk outfit The 1865 (Mass Appeal Records) on vocals/baritone guitar, and spins records under DJ Sugarfree BK. plays on bass/sings in Post Punk trio Bachslider. Collaborators/ Projects: GKA, Heavensbee, Gracefully, Mad Professor, Apollo Heights, Death Comet Crew, Burnt Sugar, DJ Olive, Raz Mesinai's Badawi, etc etc In this interview we discuss black women's contribution to rock and roll, mixing politics and music, her various projects and the different playing styles for each group, the general stereotypes on black ppl, and the folks pushing beyond those parameters, gatekeepers/snobs in underground scenes, meeting Ari Up from the Slits and going on tour with them, her DJing and how her style has evolved. For more info about Honeychild go to www.honeychildcoleman.com and follow her on Instagram @hccoleman Honeychild also gives us a nice set of local / newer underground and punk sounds, featuring tracks from Simi, Mother Goddess, Tamar-Kali, Suffrajett and her own band The 1865.  To hear this exclusive Stark Reality Playlist, go to Episode 46 of STARK REALITY or on Apple Podcasts' STARK REALITY PLAYLISTS Episode 46. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Episode 43 of STARK REALITY with Host James Dier aka $mall ¢hange rolls out the red carpet to Venezuela for the exclusive in-depth Stark Reality interview with Caracas-based writer and editor RICARDO VAZ, recorded 2/23/22. Ricardo Vaz works for independent media outlet Venezuelanalysis and he is also a member of Venezuelan collectives Tatuy Tv and Utopix.  Ricardo grew up in Mozambique before going on to study theoretical physics in Portugal and the United States. But his communist ideals and Hugo Chávez eventually saw him move to Venezuela in 2019. Venezuelan Analysis is a key source of info on Venezuela in English (and obviously Spanish too), check them out they're great. We talk about various US f*ckery in Venezuela, the 2002 coup against Maduro, the clown Juan Guaido, Jack Ryan, media coverage and western propaganda, Alex Saab, sanctions, elections in Venezuela, the coup in Bolivia in 2019, Cuba, ex-pats, and traditional Latin American folk and protest music.  For Ricardo's accompanying exclusive Stark Reality playlist, a selection of his music from various countries, check out Episode 44 of Stark Reality on jasoncharles.net or on Stark Reality Playlists wherever you get your podcasts. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Episode 41 of STARK REALITY with Host James Dier aka $mall ¢hange features the exclusive in-depth Stark Reality interview with filmmaker, artist and DJ/vinyl enthusiast DARCY TRUNZO Darcy Trunzo is a coalminer's daughter, artist and producer living outside of Pittsburgh - who is using art, music and film as a method of inquiry, explores culture and its weird relationships to history and sense of place. With a decade each in Pittsburgh, NYC and time logged in Minneapolis, The Bay and a number of stops in between both rural and urban - she uses everything from nightlife to existing infrastructure to look at the political landscape and engage in activism and storytelling about these concepts. Jim and Darcy end up talking about soul music, appalachia politics, unions, the film biz, etc etc. Darcy is top ppls and glad to hear her thoughts on a number of issues… To hear Darcy's exclusive dope playlist, go to Episode 42 of STARK REALITY PLAYLISTS See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Episode 39 of STARK REALITY with Host James Dier aka $mall ¢hange features the exclusive in-depth Stark Reality interview with musician, journalist, filmmaker and writer BEN NORTON. Ben Norton has many articles and videos up at Grayzone News and also on Rokfin. He co-hosts the Moderate Rebels podcast with Max Blumenthal and has his own show called Propaganda Today. Less ppl might know this but Ben has played in bands (hardcore, punk, metal, etc) for decades and is a seasoned guitarist and musician. He has a project called Peculate with a new album, 'Your Own Person Abyss', a hybrid of metal, jazz, avant classical, noise, screaming. Ben is a proud metalhead haha, and we talk about it in its different variations. He also loves jazz, we talk about third stream, fusion, records like Miles Davis' Bitches Brew and Naked City's Torture Garden. Also get into propaganda in media, the military influence on Hollywood film and tv, social media and the metaverse (and how controlled it is), trying to make a living as a musician in NYC, and annoying popularity of K-Pop in Latin America. Ben lives in Nicaragua this was recorded Oct 29th, 2021. link to the new album from Ben's PECULATE project: www.peculate.bandcamp.com/album/your-own-personal-abyss For more information about BEN NORTON, check out: www.bennorton.com www.thegrayzone.com/author/ben-norton www.rokfin.com/benjaminnorton @BenjaminNorton on twitter To hear Ben Norton's exclusive metal/jazz/avant-classical noise mix, go to Episode 40 of STARK REALITY on jasoncharles.net Podcast Network or STARK REALITY PLAYLISTS wherever you get your podcasts. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Episode 37 of STARK REALITY with Host James Dier aka $mall ¢hange's features the exclusive in-depth Stark Reality interview with NYC nightlife photographer KENNY RODRIGUEZ Kenny Rodriguez has been documenting classic parties like Tiki Disco, The Rub, Freedom, etc for decades, and more recently House Of Yes.  Jim and Kenny talk about (of course) photography, techniques in shooting night life, choosing the final images, and what he's trying to capture in a photo. and why he doesn't work on Halloween lol.  Kenny also chats about some of his favorite DJs like Rich Medina and Eli Escobar, and friends he's shot many times who are no longer with us, like DJ Blue Jemz and dancer/promoter Voodoo Ray (RIP). He's also shot protests and done street photography, and even designing hoodies using old graf skills. he doesn't write rhymes anymore but he still freestyles with his kids. old school hip hop head. He's an absolute pro and was a pleasure to learn more about his process.  For more information about Kenny and his sensational photo work, check out WWW.KENNYRODRIGUEZ.COM  Kenny also gives us a nice playlist hip hop, rock, latin, club classics, etc aka '1/2 of DOobe Vol. 1'  To hear this exclusive mix, go to Episode 38 of STARK REALITY PLAYLISTS wherever you get your podcasts and live & direct on jasoncharles.net Podcast Network's STARK REALITY page.   See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Episode 35 of STARK REALITY features Host James Dier aka $mall ¢hange's exclusive Stark Reality interview with DR. ASATAR BAIR Dr. Asatar Bair is a professor of economics based in Riverside California. He identifies as a communist, which is pretty rare to see in academia in the US. Throughout this in-depth interview, Jim and Dr. Bair talk about background growing up, his recent viral tweets about Stalin, academia in general, the cruelty of capitalism (aka victims of capitalism haha), Uyghur/China propaganda, being assertive against these false narratives, and retaining a sense of humor in this world. He also has practiced meditation for many years. To hear Dr. Bair's exclusive Stark Reality mix, a nice 'generation x' playlist of hip hop, rock, and modern sounds, go to Episode 36 of STARK REALITY PLAYLISTS wherever you get your podcasts or on the Stark Reality page on jasoncharles.net Podcast Network   See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Episode 33 of STARK REALITY, recorded 7/6/21, features Host James Dier aka $mall ¢hange's exclusive Stark Reality interview with LEIGH BUTLER. Leigh Butler is good ppls. Met him few years back at Movement through mutual friends, he is an old school techno head, music head really, been clubbing for many many years, UK, Germany, Detroit, Chicago, NYC, etc etc. He occasionally spins out but mostly wheels and deals records and has a deep knowledge of dance music.  Jim's in-depth conversation with Leigh covers Detroit DJs like Gary Chandler and Al Ester, Todd Edwards playing at a club in his neighborhood at the beginning of 2 Step, parties at the old Tresor in Berlin.  And Leigh wraps it up with a review of a recent car boot sale he hit. Really breaking news I know haha. Anyways enjoy. To hear LEIGH BUTLER's exclusive Stark Reality "Detroit Techno 2019" playlist, listen/subscribe to STARK REALITY PLAYLISTS Episode 34, wherever you get your podcasts and live & direct on jasoncharles.net Podcast Network, MUSIC Channel See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Episode 31 of STARK REALITY, recorded 6/22/21, features Host James Dier aka $mall ¢hange's exclusive Stark Reality interview with Lucien Samaha, a DJ, photographer, and someone Jim has known for many years in NYC. Born in Lebanon, he was a flight attendant since he was 20, and traveled all over the world taking pictures. He has over a million, plus collects tons of vintage photography from flea markets etc. His Mondo 107 party on the 107th floor of the World Trade Center was a Wednesday night hotspot until 9/11. He also spun in very large bathroom at the Tunnel circa '97/'98, and has a book of vintage club/ravers going there at the time. Great convo about growing up in the Middle East, photography, the 90s lounge revival, DJing, getting old, politics, etc. Enjoy! He also graces us with an 'eclectic home lounge' playlist on Episode 32 of STARK REALITY PLAYLISTS, available wherever you get your podcasts.  For more information about Lucien, go to www.luciensamaha.net , check his Patreon page and follow him on Instagram @luciensamaha_onfilm See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Episode 29 of STARK REALITY, recorded 5/18/21, features Host James Dier aka $mall ¢hange's exclusive Stark Reality interview with DJ ZHAO.  Born in Beijing and based in Berlin (plus spending some time in LA, NYC and Houston in btw), Dj Zhao is a musicologist and rhythm ambassador, applying historical materialist analysis to the evolution of social music, and bringing a poly-cultural understanding of rhythm to his deeply percussive cross-genre sets. Not restricted by style or convention, Dj Zhao draws from wildly different times and places, connecting the global North with the South, acoustic and electronic, traditional and hyper-modern. In this episode, Leo (Zhao) and Jim talk about why working ppl should support China, NYC experimental DJ scenes in the 90s/00s, declining arts funding and gentrification in Berlin, growing up in Beijing, anti-communist propaganda in the west, no dancing/anti-rave laws, and even give a quick shoutout to Tommy's Burgers in LA, a late night post club staple. Don't know what's in their chili...and probably don't want to know lol. To hear DJ Zhao's jacking hard house mix "Harder 3," check out Episode 30 on STARK REALITY PLAYLISTS wherever you get your podcasts.  Check it and his other mixes on his Soundcloud page, he has 'many styles, many styles' as they say on Scenario... See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

This time around, for Episode 27, STARK REALITY rolls out the red carpet all the way to Alabama, to talk to gospel radio DJ and folklife archivist KEVIN NUTT. His Sinner's Crossroads show on WFMU is the real deal. Amazing gospel show running for a decade and then some. Kevin also does a long running Friday evening weekly at local watering hole Leroy Lounge.  Jim and Kevin talk about taking requests and playing favorites, coastal attitudes on the south and typical stereotypes, race and class, bourbon, Spotify algorhythms, NPR liberalism, rare records and purism, getting pigeonholed musically, changing academic theories on the relation of the blues with the early minstrel shows, liberation theology, El Salvador, CIA propaganda, pro union gospel songs from Bessemer Alabama in the 20s and 30s, where there was a recent drive for unionization in an Amazon warehouse there. And more, ended up chatting for a few hours. Kevin is the man! Music and politics way on point. Enjoy. Recorded May 7th, 2021 To hear the exclusive Stark Reality playlist from Kevin Nutt, go to Episode 28 of STARK REALITY PLAYLISTS wherever you get your podcasts, on Mixcloud, or live & direct on jasoncharles.net Podcast Network Music Channel.  He also gave us two short playlists, one an excerpt from Leroy Lounge, another one of selections he would play on his radio show.   See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Episode 26 of STARK REALITY features features the exclusive in-depth Stark Reality interview with Host James Dier aka $mall ¢hange and his guest, sports media pro and justice journalist CHUCK MODIANO, recorded April 2021. Chuck Modiano is a writer, lecturer, and trainer dedicated to promoting equity in sports media coverage. A justice journalist, frequently at various protests around the country and in DC, Chuck interviews people there and provides important coverage to what is going on in the streets. A longtime sports fanatic, we talk about being actively anti-racist, the NFL, social media, activism, and how much of an asshole Bill Maher is. He passed on giving us a playlist, all good. Chuck is the man! Check his many articles over the years, and you can follow him on twitter at @ChuckModi1 Listen and subscribe to STARK REALITY and STARK REALITY PLAYLISTS wherever you get your podcasts and live & direct on jasoncharles.net Podcast Network Music Channel See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Episode 24 of STARK REALITY features the exclusive in-depth Stark Reality interview with Host James Dier aka $mall ¢hange and his guest Bolivian-based DJ/record collector and dealer and top ppls SONIDO MARTINES, recorded in early February 2021.   Originally from Argentina and living in La Paz, Bolivia for many years, SONIDO MARTINES (aka Xavier) talks to Jim about chewing on coca leaves, the distribution of records in South America, playing on Sonideros (soundsystems) in Mexico, living in Bolivia during the recent fascist coup and aftermath, and more... To hear the exclusive STARK REALITY playlist from SONIDO MARTINES, check out Episode 25 of STARK REALITY on Mixcloud, Apple Podcasts, and live & direct on jasoncharles.net Podcast Network Music Shows Channel.  Xavier gives us a great forty-five plus minute mix of all Bolivian tracks ripped from his vast collection of records and 45s. For more information about SONIDO MARTINES check out @sonidomartines on Instagram See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

On Episode 23 of STARK REALITY, Host James Dier aka $mall ¢hange chats at length with independent journalist, podcaster and Soapbox producer RANIA KHALEK.  Rania Khalek, known for her international reporting on the underclass, is a producer, writer, host at Soapbox, and host of a few podcasts, including Unauthorized Disclosure, and the newer Left Bitches (Who Are Right). Rania has a very good take on Middle East politics (and the world in general), grew up in the US and is currently living in Lebanon. In this in-depth STARK REALITY interview, James and Rania talk about Covid living, Lebanon, Syria, how sanctions are evil, deplatforming on social media, tik tok, having beers in Damascus, her piece on the Yazidi people and their struggle against ISIS. Rania is hilarious and you'll always learn something talking to her... For more information about RANIA KHALEK check out www.raniakhalek.com and follow her on Twitter and Instagram @raniakhalek See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Episode 21 of STARK REALITY with Host James Dier aka $mall ¢hange features the exclusive long-form interview with special guest GIOVANNI GALVESTON.  Gio is a longtime DJ, builds custom sound systems, and runs the Festival DMT Community Sound System in DC.  A homegrown loudspeaker system that helps event organizers and community events have proper sound. He also works the company Vocalics.ai on computer voice translation. He's good ppls and Jim and Gio talk about the recent DC riots, building your own sound system, bad dreams, and much more... For more information about the DMT Community Sound System, check out www.facebook.com/FDMTCommunitySound on Facebook To hear GIOVANNI GALVESTON's exclusive butta RnB playlist, check out Episode 22 of STARK REALITY on Mixcloud, or live and direct on jasoncharles.net Podcast Network Music Shows Channel See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Episode 19 of STARK REALITY with Host James Dier aka $mall ¢hange features the long-form exclusive interview with special guest TONY CONQUERRAH, a DJ in New York City for over 15 years. In this episode of Stark Reality, recorded on 10/19/20, Tony talks to Jim about being accused of being a Russian bot (lol!) by centrist trolls, his musical journey from hip hop and punk into reggae and beyond, records that you can cross genres with, dealing with anxiety during the pandemic and coming out of that. Plus a shoutout to Father German, a well respected and loved person in the NYC reggae scene who unfortunately passed recently. To hear Tony Conquerrah's Exclusive STARK REALITY playlist, check out Stark Reality Episode 20 on Mixcloud and live and direct on jasoncharles.net Podcast Network Music Shows Channel Currently, Tony Conquerrah hosts a new podcast on The Face Radio called Coconut Grove, which explores the cultural exchange between Caribbean and American music from all different eras.   For more information check out @thefaceradiobk and  @coconutgrovebk on Instagram For more information about all things Tony Conquerrah check out @dubbyconquerrah on Instagram See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

On STARK REALITY Episode 17, host Jim Dier aka $mall ¢hange interviews guest BETTY JACKSON KING.  Betty Jackson King has always been a dancer, from her teenage years in NJ and Detroit (where she was a dancer on the local Detroit show 'The Scene'), to following the roller skating scene in the 2000s, and lately with hula hooping and fire spinning. She also just hosted her first radio show for BMIR, Burning Man Information Radio.  Jim and Betty talk about Burning Man, music, flow arts, mental health during this pandemic, and perspective on police violence, as a black mother with a son in his early 20s. She's tops, and gives us a nice soulful playlist..To hear Betty's exclusive STARK REALITY playlist, go to Episode 18 of Stark Reality on Mixcloud, or live and direct on jasoncharles.net Podcast Network, Music Shows channel. For more information about BETTY JACKSON KING, check her out on Instagram @mshoopsk8er See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

On STARK REALITY Episode 15, Host James Dier aka $mall ¢hange goes deep with over two hours with Nathaniel (aka Nate) Wallace, currently a public school educator in Jersey City, a former college athlete (football), labor organizer and social justice activist, and president of the detested (by the Israel lobby) Students for Justice in Palestine (SJP) chapter at Florida State University in 2013-14. Nate's coached high school football and mentored numerous at risk youth in his hometown of Jacksonville, Fla. and in Jersey City, and most recently launched a new show and podcast called Redspin Sports. Nate co-hosts Redspin Sports along with his friend and Jacksonville, Fla. based labor & racial justice activist, Michael Sampson. To hear Nate's exclusive 60 minute STARK REALITY playlist of politically charged tracks, go to Episode 16 of STARK REALITY on Mixcloud or live and direct on jasoncharles.net Podcast Network MUSIC SHOWS Follow Nate on Twitter @NateWallace9 and keep up with Redspin Sports @RedspinSports See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

On Episode 13 of STARK REALITY, host James Dier aka $mall ¢hange interviews Colleen Vincent, VP of a Community for the James Beard Foundation and a vocal champion for diverse leadership in all sectors of the hospitality industry. She is also the co-founder of Black Food Folks, a fellowship of Black folks working in food and drink promoting and supporting each other for mutual success, and is a member the West Indian Chefs Alliance.  She is a Brooklyn native that came of age during the 90’s golden age of hip hop and an avid Junglist.  To hear Colleen Vincent's exclusive STARK REALITY playlist of classic NYC and East Coast hip-hop jams, go to Episode 14 of STARK REALITY on Mixcloud. See omnystudio.com/policies/listener for privacy information.

On the latest installment of STARK REALITY, host James Dier aka $mall ¢hange interviews Geoffrey Wilson aka DJ Reverend Robert Sinewave If you know Geoffrey; you’d know that he’s a good friend, a good ally, and a staunch believer in equality, visibility, and diversity in the hospitality industry. He’s also a talented and creative bartender. Having spent close to a decade working in the International House Hotel in New Orleans, Ocotillo in Phoenix, and Multnomah Whiskey Library in Portland, OR, Geoffrey has honed his skill and earned the honor of Best Bartender in Chicago in 2008 and Phoenix in 2014. In addition to this, he is currently making ice for the best ice company in Portland, PDX Ice.  In addition to enjoying the company of his carefully curated group of friends, he also enjoys hanging around dogs, cats, and sometimes rabbits.  Geoffrey has a favorite color, it’s black. He also has an extensive record collection and has been known to host Love American Style nights at The Record Store in Portland, OR. If you find yourself in the area, be sure to follow his Instagram @rev.robertsinewave and join in the fun. Ask him about his purple Chucks. To hear Reverend Robert's exclusive Stark Reality all weed-flavored mix go to STARK REALITY Episode 12 on Mixcloud or live and direct on jasoncharles.net Podcast Network Music Shows

On Episode 9 of STARK REALITY, Host James Dier aka $mall ¢hange interviews vinyl DJ/record collector/political activist Jason Villani aka DJ Lord Lewis the Velvet Knight, host of the long-running Rumpus Room radio show on WESU since 2002.  Based in Connecticut, Jason works as a Librarian and has been a longtime activist as well as a deep music head, following leftist issues especially on Palestine.   Lord Lewis plays a lot of newer releases with a classic soul/funk/jazz feel and they talk about how these modern movements developed, carving out a space to DJ more underground sets, as well as getting into electoral politics, and the BDS movement (Boycott, Divestment, and Sanctions towards Israel) and the challenges it is facing in the US. To check out Lord Lewis's exclusive 45 minute Stark Reality playlist of all recent soul/funk/jazz/dub releases, check out Episode 10 of STARK REALITY on Mixcloud and live and direct on jasoncharles.net Podcast Network Music Shows For more information about DJ Lord Lewis and the Rumpus Room radio show go to The Rumpus Room or www.facebook.com/djlordlewis and to check out his list of Top 100 Albums for 2019 highlighting the best from the international deep funk, soul, jazz, world, reggae, dub and dance underground, click here

In this episode of Stark Reality Host James Dier aka $mall ¢hange interviews guest JULIE TURLEY, a NYC based rock n roller, librarian, researcher, mother, and all around bad ass. For the last five years she has been working on an oral history of the Salt Lake City punk scene from the 80s (in which she came of age). She is also conducting a survey called 'Rock and Metal Music Mothering: The Role of Musical Parenting' and interviewing moms with metal/punk backgrounds.  They discuss Mormonism and Post Mormonism, Salt Lake City punk (of course), academic conferences on metal music, Wendy O Williams from the Plasmatics, etc etc.  To hear Julie's exclusive playlist of vintage Salt Lake City punk/hardcore from the 80s listen to Stark Reality Episode 8 on jasoncharles.net or on Mixcloud If you are or know of a mother interested in taking Julie's survey you can check it out here: https://www.surveymonkey.com/r/rockandmetalmoms

For this installment of Stark Reality, we interview Belinda Becker, who was one of the first women DJs in NYC, starting at Area in the mid 80s, residencies at classic spots like Nell's in the 90s, and still very active. Besides selecting records Belinda is a writer, dancer, actor, and being in NYC, has many stories...hanging out with Basquiat back in the day to shazaming songs from her neighbor's backyard parties at 4am in present day. And of course some ranting about the current orange clown. Enjoy! For the exclusive Stark Reality music mix by DJ Belinda Becker, go to Stark Reality Episode 6 on mixcloud or live and direct on jasoncharles.net Podcast Network Music Shows

For the premiere installment of STARK REALITY, Host Jim Dier aka $mall ¢hange, interviews a true OG San Francisco DJ, Sake One aka Stefan Goldstone.  He shares a lot of great stories on learning how to mix, gentrification, his brother and fellow DJ Adam Goldstone (RIP), being on the same trip to Israel as Rachael Corrie, and other bay area activists that have inspired him. He's pretty hilarious on social media and has excellent perspective. PS its pronounced Sake as in for heaven's sake, not the wine.  And Stefan's playlist is pretty self explanatory haha, obviously put together on a recent vacation. Enjoy.For more information about Sake One go to sakeone.com

For the 2nd installment of Stark Reality, Host JIM DIER aka SMALL CHANGE turned again to the west coast for one of LA's best (and best dressed) DJs, DJ Clifton aka Clifton James Weaver III. Jim and Clifton talk about the old school LA mod scene, vintage clothes, bad cop tv shows and police brutality, and the blues song that inspired the reggae classic No No No (You Don't Love Me). Good peoples and some great records. Included is a mix from a night called 'Skin Tight', lots of heavy soul/latin/world grooves. For more information about DJ Clifton go to www.cliftonweaver.com